Table of contents for 18 May 2018 in Farmer's Weekly

In the past few weeks I have travelled to a number of countries and met journalists, farmers and agribusiness professionals from all over the world. The most frequently asked question I have been asked by people from countries such as Botswana, Brazil, Iran, Peru, the US, Israel and Nigeria is whether it is safe to live in South Africa. I have been asked questions like these on previous visits to other countries, but never before was I left thinking that the overwhelming impression people from other countries have of South Africa is that we are a violent, dangerous state. And now I am left wondering whether this is a true impression. My initial response when being asked a question like this is that South Africa is a safe and beautiful…

The principles, processes and goals behind genetically modified (GM) crops have been poorly understood, according to Dr Hennie Groenewald, executive manager of Biosafety South Africa. In the 15 December 2017 issue of Farmer’s Weekly, Groenewald provided an overview of two decades of GM crop evolution in South Africa. He said that the revolutionary impact of GM crops was one of the few fascinating and inspirational stories of how the continent could arrest food insecurity, yet it had not been adequately told. There is still a reluctance to adopt GM crops elsewhere in Africa, and despite their phenomenal success in South Africa, many governments remain sceptical about the long-term impact on food safety and biodiversity in their respective countries. A compelling case of why GM crops are a strategic necessity is…

Farming debt in South Africa increased 30% between 2014 and 2017, according to recent statistics released by the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF). According to Senwes manager of agricultural economic services, Johan du Toit, indications were that it could reach the R160 billion mark during 2018, which would result in a debt overhang of 35%. “This increase should be seen against the backdrop of, among other things, land prices moving sideways, [or even declining in some instances], stricter monetary policies and political uncertainties.” According to Agbiz, the key lenders to the South African agriculture sector were the Land Bank, commercial banks, agricultural businesses, and other relatively small financial institutions such as merchant banks, insurance companies and input suppliers. Commercial banks held 62% of the debt, followed by the…

Europeans needed to cut down on farmed meat consumption, and consume alternative protein sources such as insects and lab-cultured meat, according to a report by the European Academies’ Science Advisory Council (EASAC). EASAC, along with the InterAcademy Partnership (IAP), were calling on policymakers to urgently rethink their approach to food and agriculture, and to implement a food systems approach that would address the negative impact of climate change on food systems. As agriculture was contributing substantially to climate change, consumer behaviour also had to change. “While changes to livestock management practices could contribute to greenhouse gas mitigation, more significant adjustments will require changing the demand for livestock products,” the report says. “In Europe there are increasing possibilities to use alternative protein sources [such as] insects, and substitute [meat with] sources…

Multinational packaging and paper group Mondi recently expanded the total commercial forestry plantations it manages and utilises in South Africa to 256 000ha, after receiving consent from the Competition Tribunal. The tribunal unconditionally approved Mondi’s acquisition of 11 400ha, which consists of two commercial forestry plantations near Estcourt and Greytown in KwaZulu-Natal, from the World Hardwood Timber Company. Responding to questions from Farmer’s Weekly, a spokesperson from Mondi explained that the acquisition would allow the company to further secure wood-fibre supply for the group’s Richard’s Bay mill, which produces bleached hardwood pulp and white top kraftliner board. In turn, the mill’s self-sufficiency and operational cost-effectiveness would improve. “The recently acquired plantations have predominantly Eucalyptus trees and a little wattle. We do not plan significant changes to the plantations. We have…

CAMERAS AFFORD YOU INSIGHT INTO A PREDATOR’S MOVEMENTS Not all jackals use the wind correctly; many approach from other directions. Thus, using two callers at night can confuse a jackal. Most times it will get the wind wrong, thereby benefitting you. Play a food source on one caller and jackal barks on the other. This said, many jackals have an excellent sense of smell. So the more attention you give to your hunting area, the more successful you’re likely to be. Place three or four open glass bottles of gland lure downwind about 20m apart and 30m in front of you to create a ‘curtain’ of jackal smell that will help hide your presence. I do this until the first jackal is shot, then use this one’s glands instead. Obtaining…

Willem Mulke and his sons Jaco and Kolver are doing things their way: working as a unit while still pursuing their individual interests. They produce a number of irrigation crops, but focus mainly on onions and seed potatoes. A FAMILY-BASED APPROACH The Mulkes farm along the R357 between Kimberley and Douglas, where Willem and his father first started out with rented land on the farm Bossiespan in 1978. Willem then started renting land on his own and was later able to purchase the farm Nuwejaarskraal in 1984, where he and his wife, Annemarie, still live today. “I first bought here, and then started buying land around the farm. The original farm, Bossiespan, we bought about one-and-a-half years ago,” says Willem. Nuwejaarskraal had been a stock farm and lacked irrigation infrastructure.…

British engineer Arthur Collins immigrated to South Africa in 1892, and settled in Pietermaritzburg five years later, where he set himself up as a millwright and blacksmith. Although he designed and manufactured several machines, his greatest success was undoubtedly the Hippo hammer mill, which he introduced at the 1928 Pietermaritzburg Royal Show. The mill was named after Hubert, a hippopotamus that became legendary after covering 1 600km in three years as it wandered from Zululand to the Eastern Cape, feasting on maize and leaving its tracks everywhere. Hubert was eventually declared Crown Game, or protected, but despite this was shot near King William’s Town in 1932, whereupon it was discovered that ‘Hubert’ was actually ‘Huberta’. Hippo Mills has enjoyed an excellent reputation over the past 90 years, and the company…

The Agricultural Research Council (ARC) is a premier science institution that conducts research in partnership with other professionals, develops human capital, and fosters innovation to support and develop the agriculture sector. Our strategic objective is to improve research competiveness in South Africa and be a leading knowledge hub to all agricultural stakeholders. As a public entity, the ARC confirms its commitment to the principles of transparency, integrity and accountability as advocated in the King III report on corporate governance. South Africa’s agricultural success relies on effective research and innovation by scientists, and interactive exchanges with farmers, including large commercial farmers and resource-poor communities. Food and nutrition security, an essential element of a developing society, is highly dependent on increased agricultural production. Agricultural research provides farmers with knowledge and supports sustainable…

ANTIBIOTICS ARE ESSENTIAL; IF THESE DON’T WORK, SURGERY MAY BE NEEDED After a foal is born, blood continues to pump into its body through the umbilical cord. Interrupting this process can result in a highly anaemic foal. When the mare gets up after foaling, the umbilicus usually stretches and breaks off 2cm to 3cm from the foal’s abdomen. The stretching seals the umbilical vessels and prevents bleeding from the stump. It is important not to tie off or cut the umbilical cord, as this can cause haemorrhaging and even infection. A little blood will seep out for the first few minutes; this is normal. However, if the umbilicus has not snapped by the time the foal is standing up, and the blood is still streaming out, this is an emergency,…

This delicious tuna casserole is creamy, yet not too rich. It does not have any particularly bold flavours, so the pairing needs to appreciate this. The tuna is soft and salty, and both sauce options have a gentle creaminess to them. With all this in mind, you need to balance the dish without overpowering it, and an unwooded white or a dry rosé will do this nicely. Kleine Zalze makes some great Chenin Blancs and the unwooded Bushvine Chenin is light with fresh acidity to balance the creaminess. The softer Iona Sophie te’Blanche Pinot Noir Rosé has plenty of fresh berries and is crisp on the palate, which will cut through the cream. Or why not splash out a little and try the subtle, yet complex and delicious, Boschendal Chardonnay…

SMALL-SCALE FARMERS NEED HELP WITH ACCESSING SUPERMARKETS AND OBTAINING ACCREDITATION “Industrial policy design that identifies and supports high-value agricultural industries, such as fresh fruit, is a relatively easy way for government to truly transform agriculture, drive economic growth, and create jobs. Agriculture led the economic recovery following last year’s recession, and, as pointed out by President Cyril Ramaphosa in the State of the Nation Address, was one of the sectors in which South Africa had a competitive advantage and the potential to become world class. Since 2002, the fruit industry has been the largest contributor to the country’s agricultural exports. Linkages across the value chain multiply this figure in the form of service-industry jobs in packaging, logistics and cold-chain facilities. Technology has enabled the production and preservation of higher-value crops…

CONFERENCES, WORKSHOPS & EXPOS 28 MAY TO 1 JUNE ‘The Big Thirst’ Hortgro Science Technical Symposium, Lord Charles Hotel, Somerset West. For more information, phone Thea van Zyl on 021 870 2900, or email thea@hortgro.co.za . COURSES & TRAINING 14 TO 16 MAY Sheep & Goats: Artificial Insemination, Krugersdorp. Phone Lily Rothman on 078 546 7985, or visit rltsafrica.com . 16 MAY Profitable Boer Goat Farming, Potchefstroom. For more information, phone Johan Steyn on 072 594 4626, or visit boergoats.co.za . 21 TO 23 MAY Cattle: Artificial Insemination, Elsenburg. Phone Lily Rothman on 078 546 7985, or visit rltsafrica.com . 21 TO 25 MAY Introduction to Aquaculture, ARC, Irene. For more information, phone Mpho Makhanya on 012 672…

THE KOUGA DAM WAS AT ONLY 10,5% OF CAPACITY IN FEBRUARY With weather predictions not showing any prospect of significant rain in the coming months, drought in some areas of the Eastern Cape, one of the six provinces already declared a disaster area, remains the biggest risk for farming communities. The Eastern Cape is an important farming region, with livestock farming, citrus and vegetable production the main agricultural activities. The province accounts for 27% of citrus production in the country, and more than a third of exports. The Eastern Cape is also home to the most progressive and successful black citrus farmers in the country. Despite widespread rain in recent weeks, which saw dam levels in the province rise slightly to an average of 69%, up from 68,1%, the distribution…

Early rainfall in some regions of the Western Cape meant that there was enough moisture present in the soil to enable producers to start tilling their lands for winter cereal crop planting before the end of May. Speaking to Farmer’s Weekly, Johan van den Berg, manager of specialised crop insurance at Santam Agriculture, said there was, however, need for caution. “There is still a lot of uncertainty about the rest of the season, as traditionally neutral and La Niña weather conditions [that currently dominate] are not associated with good rain for the entire winter period. Short-to mid-term forecasts do, however, indicate that there may be further rain in the latter part of May and first part of June,” Van den Berg said. “It has to be remembered that the winter…

African countries need to form a partnership to create an agricultural bank to ensure the sustainability of agriculture on the continent. This was according to Aka Mathias, president of the Professional Farmers’ Association in the Ivory Coast, speaking at the 2018 African Agriculture Conference held in Johannesburg recently. Many factors had negatively affected agriculture in the Ivory Coast, and having proper funding resources would aid farmers during times of difficulty, said Mathias. For example, the war in the country that started in 2002 and ended in 2011 left agriculture in a parlous state, with farmers struggling to get back on their feet. “I’ve farmed pineapples for 18 years, and since the war, the pineapple industry hasn’t recovered. Banana production was affected by floods in 2014, but there has been some…

Alternative therapies derived from cows’ stem cells were showing promise in restoring damaged mammary glands caused by bovine mastitis. While mastitis was usually treated with antibiotics, researchers at Cornell University in the US said this increased the potential for antimicrobial resistance and longterm harm to the animal’s teat. Daryl Nydam, professor of population medicine and diagnostic sciences at Cornell, and Gerlinde van der Walle, assistant professor in equine health, were examining how mammary stem cell secretions could encourage the healing and regrowth of damaged tissue. The secreted factors of these stem cells helped form new blood vessels and promoted the migration of cells, which were integral in healing tissue damaged by mastitis. Secreted factors also protected epithelial cells from damage caused by bacterial toxins. “Even after antibiotic treatment, milk production…

Suffolk sheep breeders have successfully piloted an intensive ram growth test class, which SA Stud Book hopes to gradually expand to include many more smallstock breeds. At the SA Stud Book awards ceremony, which took place at the recent Bloem Show, the breed director of the Suffolk Breeders’ Society of South Africa, Carel Greyling, said this was the culmination of a process that started four years ago when he attended an intensive growth testing presentation by SA Stud Book. According to SA Stud Book CEO, Dr Japie van der Westhuizen, a lot more attention had been given to smallstock recording over the past year. He said that SA Stud Book had introduced revolutionary changes to the manner in which smallstock recordings were done, and hoped these would make it easier…

Using renewable resources and technology to create a sustainable economy and feed the growing population was the core theme at the second annual Global Bioeconomy Summit (GBS) held in Berlin in April. The summit focused on developing policies that would prevent deforestation, water scarcity, soil depletion and greenhouse gas emissions. Finding ways to reuse waste and lighten the carbon footprint were also central to discussions. Speaking at the summit, Christine Lang, co-chairperson of the Bioeconomy Council, noted that while 50 countries had issued policy strategies related to bioeconomy development, the potential of bioeconomy was still rarely discussed in international policy forums. “We need a continued, more formalised international dialogue on bioeconomy. The GBS has created a good basis for this.” Another speaker, Maria Semedo, the Food and Agriculture Organization’s deputy…

South Africa’s endemic Cape vulture could be driven towards extinction due to the country’s electricity grid. This was according to Vulpro, an NGO working to safeguard Africa’s vulture population through rescue and rehabilitation. “At least 28 vultures, mainly the endemic Cape vulture, died in April after colliding with power lines around the country, according to our statistics,” said Vulpro founder and manager, Kerri Wolter. Most of the incidents were recorded in North West and the Eastern Cape. According to surveys conducted by Vulpro, a total of 56 vulture fatalities were recorded during the previous three-year period, with 40 fatalities recorded between January and December 2017. “This indicates that we are losing an average of three vultures per month due to power-line incidents,” she said. Wolter said the extremely high tally…

A Policy Uncertainty Index (PUI) has been developed by North-West University’s School of Business and Governance and the School of Economics. It seeks to help South African decision makers to understand and manage the effects of policy uncertainty on the economy. According to a statement released by the university, most economic assessments of the South African economy released in recent years cited policy uncertainty as having a marked effect on foreign investments. “A healthy, prospering economy benefits everyone in the country, and the PUI will give decision makers insight into the impact their policies have on the welfare of South Africa,” said the statement. The PUI took media reports from 20 local publications into account to measure reporting on policy uncertainty. A list of keywords was specified along with the…

YOU NEED TO ENSURE THAT THE HEIRS ARE ADEQUATELY PREPARED TO TAKE OVER THE OWNERSHIP ROLE We are all going to die of an incurable disease called ‘mortality’. Put another way, loss of key people in a business is a certainty. And while I can understand a healthy young person thinking that he or she will live forever, it never ceases to amaze me when aging business owners, directors and managers take no steps to prepare for the day when they will no longer be around. It’s plainly irresponsible, especially as succession planning isn’t rocket science. It’s a well-documented practice, and many skilled consultants are available to provide help. Are you one of those who have a blind spot about death, disablement, or even the departure of key employees to…

What does the future hold for the grain industry in terms of prices and production? Chris Venter, CEO of AFGRI [CV]: At the moment, there’s a general oversupply of grain in the world. The Chicago Board of Trade remains the exchange from where prices are derived, and therefore the world prices are mostly subject to price movements in the US. In South Africa, our soya and maize prices are under pressure. We have a substantial oversupply of maize, in particular as a result of carry-over stock from the previous years, and despite initial concerns about hectares planted, very good rain may result in an above-average summer crop. We’ll therefore keep on trading at export parity levels. The major unknown will be the strength of the rand. The forecast for the…

No commercial activity can escape the implications of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. This blending of the physical, digital and biological domains is bringing significant change everywhere, and South Africa’s agriculture and agro-processing industries are no exception. “It means changes through the value chain and the agro-processing chain by improving processes, increasing productivity and reducing costs,” says Nico Groenewald, Head of Agriculture at Standard Bank Group. Increased use of technology that begins on the land presents opportunities to transform the agro-processing industry, increasing its importance to the local economy. Through the Fourth Industrial Revolution’s converging technologies, South Africa has the opportunity to become an early adopter, accelerating its development in agro-processing. Recent advancements transforming this sphere include ‘smart farming’ tools, which help improve crop yield and quality, and reduce water consumption…

This year marks the 17th time that FAW South Africa will participate at Grain SA’s Nampo Harvest Day, the largest collection of agricultural exhibitions under private ownership in the Southern Hemisphere. The annual event in Bothaville in the Free State has been attracting not only local agricultural role players, but also many visitors with an agricultural interest from across the country, as well as from other continents. “Last year’s interest in our stand and our vehicles was astounding,” says Jianyu Hao, CEO of FAW Vehicle Manufacturers South Africa. “Visitors to the stand remarked on the exceptional finish of our vehicles and our reasonable pricing.” This year, FAW will attract visitors to its Nampo display using locally produced trucks, ranging from the yet to be released FAW 8.140 Fully Automatic with…

Farming isn’t just about beautiful mealie fields and incredible sunsets. It’s about long days, sweat on your forehead, and many dusty kilometres before the day draws to a close. A farming career is made or broken by great partnerships and hardy equipment, so choosing the right tyres is not just important, but vital for success. This is what the Firestone agricultural or ‘farm hard’ range does so well; it supports every farmer in getting the job done, even on the hardest of days. The real value of the range is its versatility. Whether you need a tyre that gives you better traction on a wet day, or a more specific product that enhances your performance in either broad land or narrow row crop farming, Firestone has an agricultural solution that…

For camping and farming It’s worthwhile to splash out on a good jacket. Being outside in winter can become a nightmare if your upper body is not kept warm, or if the wind cuts through your clothing. FIRST ASCENT’S MEN’S AVALANCHE SKI JACKET is water- and windproof, and includes features specific for skiing. However, I found it just as useful for camping or wearing on the farm. Some of the stand-out features are a snow skirt, a built-in balaclava and a handy ski-pass pocket on the forearm. The outer layer is a waterproof, but breathable, Vapour-Tex fabric. It has a removable fleece inner so you can reduce or increase the warmth. It also comes with hand-warmer pockets, pit-zip pockets and Internet pockets, making sure everything you need on the slopes…

Dear Jonno, We live on the coast in Pemba, northern Mozambique. The climate here is dry and fairly cold in winter, and humid and hot in summer. We want an eco-friendly house with solar panels, where we can recycle grey water in a small garden, and perhaps harvest rainwater. We’re keen to build the house using local techniques and materials. Traditional construction materials here are mangrove, bamboo, coral rock and clay. However, we will not use mangrove or coral rock as it is environmentally unsustainable. In the living space we would like to have a kitchen, lounge, dining room and toilet. In the sleeping quarters we need a main bedroom (with bathroom en suite), a bedroom with space for one bed, a bathroom, an attic, an open space and a…

Vitamin B12 is required for many vital biological conditions, such as the production of adrenal hormones; metabolising fat, carbs and folate, formation of red blood cells; iron absorption; and vital nervous system functions, among others. A deficiency can cause a type of anaemia marked by fewer, but larger, red blood cells. It can also cause walking and balance ‘disturbances’ and confusion. In addition, the body requires B12 to make myelin, which protects the nerves, so a lack can expose nerves to damage. Interestingly, research shows no association between B12 blood levels and consumption of meat, poultry and fish, which are the primary sources of B12. This is because B12 insufficiency is not due to a lack of meat consumption, but because the vitamin isn’t being properly absorbed. TIGHTLY BOUND B12…

With water a precious and scarce commodity in South Africa, there is a pressing need to do more with less. US-based agricultural analytics company CropX (cropx.com) helps farmers do this. On 1 May, it unveiled its latest soil intelligence platform, where sensors deliver the data needed to significantly reduce water consumption, fertilisation and energy costs, while increasing yield. According to the developers, adaptive irrigation is the key to getting the most out of soil, and this is what the new sensors provide. With the aid of the app, the entire system can be up and running rapidly. The app scans the land and creates different zones; it then depicts exactly where each sensor should be placed. Each sensor covers 16ha. After installation, the QR code is scanned on the sensor…

Excitement is running high amongst the second year Cape Winemakers Guild Protégés, as their dreams of making their very first wines become a reality with their creations safely in barrels after the 2018 harvest. Established in 2006 under the auspices of the Nedbank Cape Winemakers Guild Development Trust, the CWG Protégé Programme gives aspirant winemakers and viticulturists the rare opportunity of working side by side with members of the guild. The protégés, who have been given the chance to express their creativity by making their own wines, are Morgan Steyn of Riversdale, Gynore Fredericks of Malmesbury and Elouise Kotze of Brackenfell. Crafting their own wines is an essential part of the second year of the Cape Winemakers Guild Protégé Programme, and has been made possible by the continued sponsorship of…

The slaughtering of captive-bred lions to meet the demand for lion bones in China degraded the iconic African lion to a mere slaughter animal, according to Dr Gerhard Verdoorn, president of the South African Hunters’ and Game Conservation Association. “This should be blamed on government ministers and senior public service officials who irresponsibly issue permits to the captive-bred lion industry,” he said. The alleged slaughtering of numerous lions on a farm near Bloemfontein in the Free State made headlines at the end of April, with the animals’ bones reportedly earmarked for export to China. Prof Melville Saayman, director of Tourism Research at North-West University, explained that the incident caused extensive damage to South Africa’s image as a tourist destination, and made headlines on numerous social media platforms around the world.…

Rehabilitating Lake Chad in West Africa would greatly benefit Niger’s agriculture sector, according to Rakiatou Mayaki, the ambassador of the Republic of Niger to South Africa. Mayaki was speaking at the 2018 African Agriculture Conference, held in Johannesburg recently. Lake Chad provided water to its four surrounding countries, namely Chad, Cameroon, Niger and Nigeria, and had shrunken considerably over the years, said Mayaki. “The river [feeding the lake] has lost 90% of its water over the past three decades, a process that is exacerbated by climate change,” she added. This put even more pressure on the agriculture sector. Some countries had, however, accepted responsibility for rehabilitating the river. “Niger is collaborating with neighbouring countries that rely on the country’s agriculture produce, but more partnerships are still required,” explained Mayaki. “Niger…

AUSTRALIA The Australian competition regulator wants a mandatory code of conduct to improve contracting practices between dairy processors and farmers. This was according to a report by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) after an 18-month inquiry sparked by large reductions in milk prices imposed on farmers by the country’s two biggest dairy processors in 2016. ACCC commissioner Mick Keogh said in a statement that a mandatory code would address problems arising from the large imbalance in bargaining power and information that existed between dairy farmers and processors. – Alan Harman UNITED STATES Researchers at Washington State University are suggesting that mid-season hibernation could help in the fight against Varroa mites. Assistant professor of entomology and manager of the university’s bee programme, Brandon Hopkins, put 200 honeybee colonies into…

A new study has found that food products linked to their place of origin were economically and socially beneficial to rural areas, and promoted sustainable development. This was according to a study conducted by the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. The study analysed the economic impact of geographical indication (GI) label registration in nine case studies. These included Colombian coffee, Darjeeling tea (India), Futog cabbage (Serbia), Kona coffee (US), Manchego cheese (Spain), Penja pepper (Cameroon), Taliouine saffron (Morocco), Tête de Moine cheese (Switzerland), and Vale dos Vinhedos wine (Brazil). Food products registered with a GI label boasted an annual trade value of over US$50 billion (R630 billion) worldwide. Such products had specific characteristics, qualities or reputations that stemmed from their geographical…

The detection of a previously unknown scale insect could pose a risk to the profitability of macadamia production in South Africa. In a recent newsletter, the Agricultural Research Council (ARC) reported that heavy infestations of a ‘new’ scale insect were noticed on macadamia trees in the Barberton Valley in Mpumalanga in April 2017. Specimens of the pest were identified as the macadamia felted coccid, an insect belonging to the family Eriococcidae. According to Dr Schalk Schoeman of the ARC’s Tropical and Subtropical Crops division in Nelspruit, it was not clear how this species had been introduced to South Africa, but it could have been accidentally brought in on propagative plant material. “However, it is definitely an important quarantine organism as it lives attached to its host plant and can easily…

THE DEPARTMENT POLICES PEOPLE RATHER THAN CONSERVING BIODIVERSITY A consortium of 14 organisations, representing people who rely on the sustainable use of biological resources, appeared recently before Parliament’s Portfolio Committee for Environmental Affairs to discuss proposed changes to the National Environmental Management Biodiversity Act (NEMBA). Attorney Ian Cox, on behalf of the consortium, said that NEMBA and proposed amendments to it had systemic weaknesses due to the lack of a formally adopted biodiversity policy. He said that the draft biodiversity white paper of 1997 conflicted with South Africans’ environmental rights, as well as the environmental management principles enacted under the National Environmental Management Act. Cox stressed that NEMBA was being applied without a formal policy in place. Nigel Dorward, representing marine and freshwater aquaculture, said this had resulted in ill-conceived…

Azoonotic food-borne disease is an infection or intoxication that results from eating food of animal origin contaminated with live microorganisms or their toxins. Zoonotic food-borne intoxication (poisoning) is a form of food-borne disease caused by ingestion of a preformed toxin. Food poisoning is a specific disease condition arising soon after eating solid or liquid food. Certain bacteria produce biological poisons or toxins under specific circumstances during rapid multiplication. Animals that excrete these organisms in their milk or faeces are important sources of infection. Food can become contaminated at various stages of the food chain; this can happen on the farm, during slaughtering, during further processing, or in the kitchen. Zoonotic food-borne diseases are a significant and widespread public health threat. About 320 000 human cases are confirmed in the EU…

North West Santa Gertrudis Champions Hereford Champions North West Charolais Champions North West Limousin Champions Contacts: Raymund de Villiers: 082 946 2343 | AJS Lock: 082 578 9758 JH Johan Havemann: 082 513 8191 | Bertus Mong: 082 947 0701 or 028 841 4608 | Hiner & Heiko Köster: 082 804 0950 Contacts: Hansie Müller: 082 489 6810 | Anthonie Potgieter: 082 899 0067 Clara Bruwer: 082 944 0754 | John & Tracey Devonport: 083 454 3095 | Carl le Roux: 074 465 6451…

Strictly speaking, the banana is an edible berry. All of the aboveground parts of a banana plant grow from a corm. What appears to be a trunk is actually a ‘false stem’ or pseudo-stem. The leaves are composed of a stalk (petiole) and a blade (lamina). The base of the petiole widens to form a sheath, and tightly packed sheaths make up the false stem. Banana plants vary in height depending on the cultivar and growing conditions. Most are around 5m tall. The leaves are spirally arranged and may grow 2,7m long and 60cm wide. When a banana plant is mature, the corm stops producing new leaves and begins to form a flower spike or inflorescence. A stem develops, which grows up inside the false stem, carrying the immature inflorescence…

The organics industry in agriculture seems to be growing steadily around the world, judging by the impressive growth figures in some countries. In South Africa, farmers grow organic bananas, citrus and other fruit, as well as a wide range of organic vegetables. SLOW START I recall that when organic fresh produce was still in its infancy, one market agent took the plunge on the Joburg Market and opened an organic section, complete with salesperson, cold storage and appropriate advertising. I thought this initiative commendable, but it never seemed to generate the support from growers or buyers that it should have. I don’t know the reasons for this, but I suspect that it might have been an idea before its time. The section closed and organic produce, the little arriving on…

Testament to Radium’s promise of dependability is the fact that 2018 marks the company’s golden anniversary of exhibiting at the Nampo Agricultural Trade Show. After 50 years, Nampo has become a second home to Radium. As a leading supplier of agricultural equipment and tools, and a company that thrives on innovation, Radium is the perfect fit for Nampo, which showcases advancements in agricultural equipment, and allows farmers to compare machinery in a hands-on environment. A PROUD HISTORY Although Radium Engineering was officially established in 1976, its true history began two years before the first Nampo expo on a Limpopo farm in 1965, when John Roest built a cattle scale. The scale’s uncomplicated, effective operation was patented, and manufacture started. Its immense popularity led to a company dedicated to the equipment…

If I inherited a farm, the first thing I would do would be to buy a small off-road motorcycle. It can be used just like my granddad used his horse. It can go almost everywhere, does not require feeding when you don’t use it, and is an unbelievable amount of fun to ride. I’m sure many farmers are already on motorcycles, or on quad bikes, the four-wheel equivalent of motorcycles, but there are some things you should know before you rush off to the nearest dealer. THE MOTORCYCLE SCENE There are essentially three kinds of motorcyclists: • People who ride big on-road motorcycles for recreation more than any other purpose; • Commuters who usually buy smaller bikes, and seldom show any enthusiasm for motorcycling as a hobby; • Dirt-riding enthusiasts…

To make a dead simple, primal, prediluvian, introductory tuna casserole for four, you will need: 2 cans of tuna 2 cans of button mushrooms 1 cup of thawed frozen peas 400g of cooked macaroni 1 cup of grated cheddar ½ cup of grated Parmesan 1 cup of fresh breadcrumbs 30g of melted butter EITHER 1 can cream of celery soup 1 can cream of mushroom soup 100ml of milk OR 30g of butter 600ml of milk 30g of white flour First, let me resolve the either/or dilemma in the ingredients. The first set of options are straightforward, but a little industrial. The urbane and slightly more troublesome alternative is a classic, unpatented white sauce, the basis of so many recipes. See mastering it as collecting intellectual capital. 1 Begin by…

HOW TO GET A SARS REFUND by Daniel Baines (Penguin, R120) In fewer than 70 pages, Baines covers basic deductions for employees, commission earners, independent contractors and the retired in plain English that’s easy to absorb and act on. The back-cover blurb’s claim – “increase your chances of getting a refund from SARS” – suggests that the publishers are indulging in a hard sell. But Baines bookends his guidance with a cautionary note: “While there are many ways of reducing your tax burden, there are no guarantees; whether you will receive a refund from SARS will ultimately depend on your overall tax situation.” BREAKING NEWS by Jeremy Thompson (Biteback, R400) Thompson, who retired from the UK’s Sky News 18 months ago, became familiar to many South…